Nationals set for Nov 21-25

MOE/GTU National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships

The 56th edition of the Guyana Schools National cycling, Swimming and track And field Championships was officially launched by the Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility of Sport, Nicolette Henry doing the honors at the National Center for Education Development (NCERD) building, Kingston.
“I am looking forward with a baited breath to the 56th annual National Schools cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships 2016… I know many records are broken and I take this opportunity to officially the Championships.” The Minister said.

The Minister added that through the Ministry of Education, there will be a continued effort t developing sports through these activates and informed those in observance that there will be every opportunity of athletes to flourish.
“I wish to assure you…the Department of Culture Youth and Sports will continue to work diligently to provide as much opportunity as possible through sports to enable our athletes to realize their true potentials. Today we stand committed to ensure our athletes get the type of training that will bring us Olympic gold medals.” Henry stated.
Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer (ag) pointed out that through the 55 years of the championships’ existence, it has done a lot to develop team work, discipline and self esteem.
“Right now if one is to be effective, the notion of discipline is critical even in academic, therefore you heard our children are into training and that requires discipline and also our children benefit from working as a team, particularly based on the team events that we have in the Championships and there is also the concept of self esteem. There is nothing greater that when someone can actually win or participate in the event of significance.” Hutson said.
The President of The Guyana Teachers Union, Mark Lyte also welcomed the championships with open arms and an eye on the task of developing future gold medalists. Lyte informed the public that schools would have started preparations for the Championships at the beginning of the school term where teachers would have taken athletes through the various paces and stages like inter-house, inter-schools and inter-zones respectively and now the ushering in of the National championship.
“it is a privilege for us to launch the 56th edition of the championships which brings athletes from across the 10 regions and 15 districts that will participate… it is important to know that the outstanding athletes from across these districts will converge to match their skills and to show forth their various talents in these events” Lyte stated.
The only district to register is District nine who has been facing some financial difficulties.
The President of the GTU also highlighted the fact that many of the athletes who excelled at the schools level represented Guyana at first the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Games and CARIFTA and recently some of our athletes at the Olympics.
Lyte went on to indicate that there are some improvements from last year and in an effort to meet international standards, cycling will be held in the National Park as a deviation from its normal facility in the Providence National Stadium.
Together with the organizers are regular sport sponsors, Digicel and Banks D.I.H through their Rain Forest Waters and Malta brand, will be fueling the athletes
While it was promised that the Track and Field aspect would have been hosted at the Leonora Track and Field facility, it was not fulfilled and is promised to be moving over to Leonora come 2017.
The Championships will run from November 21-25 with Cycling at the National Park and swimming at the National Aquatic Center, Lilliendaal on November 1 while the Opening Ceremony will be at the Providence National Stadium the following day.